Wire-stretcher.



N0. 705,547. Patented July 22, I902.

".lf STEVENSON.

WIRE STRET CHER. (Applicatioh filed July 22, 1901.)

1: NORRIS versus co. Wovmxmovv wsxmarm n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN STEVENSON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 705,547, dated July 22, 1902.

Application filed July 22, 1901. Serial No. 69,230. (No model.)

The invention has particular reference to a.

device for stretching fence-wire; and it consists of the novel formation of the stretcher and in the peculiar arrangement and combi-- nation of its various parts, as more fullyhereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the wire-stretcher, partly in section; and Fig. 2 is a section taken on line a: as, Fig. 1.

In construction the stretcher comprises, essentially, a framework A, preferably yokeshaped in configuration, consisting of the parallel arms a b, each apertured in proximity to its outer end, as at c, and a cross member (1, connecting the arms.

B designates a winding-spool having annular flanges O at its ends and journals D,which extend within the apertures in the arms. The spool is also provided centrally with an opening E, through which the end of the wireto be stretched extends. To prevent the spool from backward rotation caused by the pull or strain of the wire during the operation of stretching, I provide a double pawl F, mounted within the frame, and a ratchet-wheel G, carried by the spool with which the pawl engages' The ratchet-wheel, as shown, is fixedly secured to the spool at one end intermediate the flange and the adjacent arm of the frame. The pawl, as shown, is in the form of a clutch-plate, terminating at its inner end in a shank H, extending within an aperture e, formed in the cross member of the frame and having its outer end concaved, as at f, to embrace the ratchet-wheel? The projections g, resulting from curving the outer end in the manner indicated, engage the teeth of the ratchet and hold the spool from backward rotation. I

In applying the tightener to thefence the wireto be stretched is inserted within an opening a in'the cross member of the frame and through the aperture in the spool, the

wire being subsequently secured to the fenceposts. By rotating the winding spool by means of a suitable key applied to the squared end 1) upon the spool the stretching of the wire is efiected.

It will be seen from the description of my improved stretcher that the latter may be applied to the wire at any portion of the fence and is not necessarily secured to the post. Moreover, by constructing the clutch-plate forming the double pawl in the manner described it serves as a lock to prevent backward rotation of the spool'when the latter is in the position illustrated in the drawings or when the tightener is turned into an opposite position. Attention is also directed to the fact that by arranging the clutch-plate with in the frame between the flange adjacent to the ratchet and the arm of the frame the plate is held from displacement relative to the ratchet, thus permitting a simple connection to be made between the plate and the'frame, dispensing with rivets or screws.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a wire-tightener, the combination with a frame comprising parallel arms and a cross member connecting the arms, of a windingspool flangedat each end and journaled between the arm ends for rotary movement, a ratchet-Wheel upon one end of the spool intermediate the flange and the adjacent arm of the frame, and a double pivotal pawl for the ratchet-wheel comprising a flat oblong plate arranged to swing freely between one of the spool-flanges and the adjoining framearm with its longitudinal axis and opposite sides extending in a plane parallel with the arm, said plate terminating at its inner end in a shank engaging loosely Within an aperture formed within the cross member, and having its outer end concaved to embrace the ratchet-wheel, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a wiretightenenthe combination with a frame comprising parallel arms and a cross member connecting the arms, of a winding spool flanged at one end and journaled between the arms for rotary movement, a ratchet-wheel fixed to the spool between the flange and the adjacent frame-arm, and a double pivotal pawl for the ratchet, comprising an elongated plate carrying a shank at one end engaging loosely Within an aperture I In testimony whereof I afiix my signature formed Within the cross member and having in presence of two Witnesses. its opposite end concaved and embracing the A 7 ratchet-wheel, said plate extending parallel JOHN ENSON' 5 with the frame-arm adjoining the ratchet and Witnesses:

adapted to swing freely about its fulcrum L. J. WHITTEMORE,

between said frame-ar1n and the spool-flange. H. 0. SMITH. 

